Philip and Charlotte Hornbill had met each other at the bottom of Judy’s garden close to the stream. Philip had called, a high-pitched cry that sounded like a baby crying. When Charlotte saw him, she fell in love with him immediately. His beak was a lovely bright red and his feathers were as black as midnight.
They found a lovely spot for a nest in the open hole of a big tree at the bottom of Judy’s garden. They both began to build their nest by getting mud from the bank
of the stream and closing the hole in the tree until it was just big enough for Charlotte to squeeze through. This was a perfect spot to raise their family. There were lots of insects and fruit and delicious fat gecko’s that would sit on the wall of Judy’s house.
Soon the nest was ready, and Charlotte squeezed through the hole. She was ready to lay her eggs. Charlotte laid 3 shiny white eggs in the muddy hole and sat on them to keep them nice and warm. Every day Philip would fly off and collect delicious treats for her to eat. Her favorite treats were geckos, grasshoppers, and pieces of fruit.
One morning Philip woke up early, Charlotte was hungry, it was almost time for the chicks to hatch and she did not want any of her usual treats. Philip flew off to see if he could find anything more interesting for her to eat.
Philip landed on Judy’s kitchen windowsill. At first, he was distracted by his own reflection in the shiny glass of the window. He admired himself in the reflection. Philip and Charlotte came from The Crowned Hornbill family and he really thought that was an appropriate description as he admired his handsome beak and feathers.
Something else caught Philip’s eye. It was Roy making a delicious cheese sandwich on the breadboard. The yellow cheese looked very yummy.
“Rat a tat!” Philip knocked on the window with his bright orange beak. Roy looked up from the sandwich. Philip knocked again, “Rat a tat, tat!”. Finally, Roy understood.
“Do you want some cheese Philip?” he said. Roy opened the kitchen window a little bit and held out a small block of bright yellow cheese.
Philip carefully took the cheese from Roy’s fingers. He didn’t want to drop it in case the naughty monkeys took it. He couldn’t see the monkeys around, but you never know, they are as quick as a wink and would snatch up anything they could.
Philip flew back to the nest and popped the cheese through the hole into Charlotte’s waiting beak. “Just in time Philip, I can hear the eggs starting to crack. I think its time for the chicks to start hatching!” Charlotte exclaimed
“Quickly Philip”, Charlotte said. Rush back to the window and see if you can get some breakfast for yourself. By the time you get back, you will be able to see your first baby chick hatch.
Philip gave a loud cry like a baby crying, flapped his wings and flew back to the kitchen window to get his breakfast.
Margi Raffan 